Nikola Jokic posted a dominant 42-point, 22-rebound performance and Aaron Gordon nailed a clutch three-pointer with seconds left on the clock to lift the Denver Nuggets to a dramatic 121-119 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

In a game full of momentum swings, Denver completed the comeback in the final minute after Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren missed two critical free throws with a one-point lead.

With the shot clock winding down, Russell Westbrook — returning to Oklahoma City for his first playoff game as an opponent — found Gordon on the wing, who buried the go-ahead triple with just seconds remaining.

The Thunder had no timeouts left and couldn’t convert a final desperation shot as the Nuggets escaped with the win.

Jokic was relentless, scoring in the paint, from mid-range, and beyond the arc despite heavy defensive pressure from Isaiah Hartenstein and Holmgren. Jamal Murray added 21 points, and along with Jokic, accounted for 74% of Denver’s scoring via points or assists.

Gordon chipped in 22 points and 14 rebounds, marking his second game-winning play of the postseason — his previous buzzer-beating dunk came in Game 4 against the Clippers.

For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 33 points, 10 boards, and eight assists. Alex Caruso continued his hot form with 20 points, six assists, and five steals.

Despite Jokic picking up his fifth foul on a flagrant elbow to Lu Dort in the fourth quarter, Denver rallied from a nine-point deficit to take control late.

With a 1–0 lead, the defending champions have stolen home court and momentum heading into Game 2.